Come 4th Sunday/ First Sunday of Lent-02.26.23

Come 4th Sunday! The First Sunday of Lent St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Glenside, Pennsylvania February 26, 2023 10:00 A.M.

About Come 4th Sunday

At St. Peter’s the fourth Sunday of the month is Come 4th Sunday. It’s a time when we come forth in new ways to celebrate being the Body of Christ.

Children come forth to read Scripture and lead prayer, and to get a better look at what’s going on.

Families come forth to take on new roles.

New members come forth for a blessing.

We all come forth to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, and we all go forth as his disciples – with God’s help.

The Scripture translations are from the resource God’s Word, my Voice, by Lyn Zill Briggs, Church Publishing: 2015. They are written in a way that is easy for young readers to proclaim and understand.

Our opening prayers are from the supplemental liturgical materials in Enriching Our Worship 1.

Our Eucharistic Prayer is the Alternative Great Thanksgiving For Use With Children B from the New Zealand Prayer Book.

Our choir will lead us in songs that are simple to sing but full of meaning. When the words aren’t written in the leaflet, we use the Blue Hymnal; the thin green Wonder, Love and Praise Book (WLP), or the thin blue With One Voice (WOV) hymnal.

And you can even color the front page of the leaflet. Crayons are available in the basket in the narthex. All ages welcome.

Infants, toddlers and their families can hang out in our new soft space on the right side of the worship space, which welcomes soft toys, soft activities and soft voices. Wiggles are also welcome.

Overall, this is a great opportunity to ask yourself, how can I come forth to serve Jesus in new ways this year?

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Gathering in Joy

Prelude Terita & Michael Reeve

Opening Hymn: All Are Welcome

Let us build a house where love can dwell And all can safely live, A place where saints and children tell How hearts learn to forgive. Built of hopes and dreams and visions, Rock of faith and vault of grace; Here the love of Christ shall end divisions; All are welcome, all are welcome, All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where love is found In water, wine and wheat: A banquet hall on holy ground, Where peace and justice meet. Here the love of God, through Jesus, Is revealed in time and space; As we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

All are welcome, all are welcome, All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone, To heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they've known Here the out-cast and the stranger bears the image of God's face, Let us bring an end to fear and danger:

All are welcome, all are welcome, All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard And loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words with the Word. Built of tears and cries and laughter, 3

prayers of faith and songs of grace. Let this house proclaim from floor to rafters

All are welcome, all are welcome, All are welcome in this place.

The Opening Acclamation

Presider: Blessed be our God

People: For ever and ever. Amen.

The Presider says to the people

Presider: God be with you.

People: And also with you.

Presider: Let us pray.

Collect of the Day

EOW 1

Dear God, whose Holy Spirit led Jesus to the desert to be tempted, come to our aid when we wrestle with staying on your way. You know our weaknesses; help us to trust your saving strength, through your son Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Burying the Alleluia

During the more somber season of Lent, we refrain from saying the Alleluia and reserve that joyful word for Easter. Our parish youth will help us to “bury the Alleluia”, hiding it away until Easter.

Listening for God’s Word

A Reading from the Book of Genesis [2:15-17;3:1-7]

God took the man he made and put him in the Garden of Eden to take care of it. God told him, “Go ahead and eat anything you want from the garden, but don't eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because you'll die if you eat that.”

The serpent was the wisest and sneakiest wild animal that God made. He asked the woman, “Did God really say you can't eat fruit from any tree in the garden?”“ No, that’s not what God said,” said the woman. “God said we can eat from any tree except the one in the middle, and we shouldn't even touch it or we'll die.” The serpent said, “You won't die if you eat it. God knows that if you eat fruit from that tree, all of a sudden you will be like God, and know right from wrong, good from evil.”

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The woman looked at that tree, and thought the fruit on it looked pretty good to eat. Then she really wanted it, especially if it was going to make her wise like God. So she took a piece and ate. Then she gave some of it to her husband as well. And he ate it. Sure enough, it was like their eyes were opened and they saw things they'd never seen before. They hadn't realized it earlier, but now they saw that they didn't have any clothes on. So they took some fig leaves and sewed them together to make some clothes for themselves.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 32

The Response is: God, you are the place I can hide. You keep me safe from trouble.

People whose sins are forgiven are happy people. When the Lord says, “You're not guilty of anything,” you're a happy person, too. You can be happy there's nothing in you that wants to cause any trouble. For a while I was quiet about my sin, and I felt like I was wasting away, and I groaned all day long.

God, you are the place I can hide. You keep me safe from trouble.

I felt like God's heavy hand was on me day and night. My mouth was all dried up like it was the middle of summer. I was so thirsty. But then, I told God about my sin, and didn't hide anything from him. God, you are the place I can hide. You keep me safe from trouble.

I said, "I'm going to come clean to God about what bad things I've done.” And God forgave me and my guilty feelings went away. People who love God should tell God when they've caused trouble for themselves, then when the times get worse, they won't feel like the floodwaters will cover them up. God, you are the place I can hide. You keep me safe from trouble.

And I can hear you calling for me to find me and help me out of tough spots. God says, “I will teach you how you should act, and show you the way. I've got a really good eye, and I will use it to guide you.” So, don't be like a horse or a mulethey don't know what's going on. They have to be fitted with a bridle or else they'll just wander away.

God, you are the place I can hide. You keep me safe from trouble.

People who don't want to go God's way will always find themselves in trouble. But if you love God and trust in God, God will hug you in his loving arms. You've got lots to be happy about, and you can be happy about God.

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Shout for joy, those of you who have given your hearts to God. God, you are the place I can hide. You keep me safe from trouble.

The Epistle - A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans [5:12-19]

From the very first person on earth, we all have been separated from God. Not because of what God did, but because humans, all humans, constantly put up a barrier between themselves and God. Our sin keeps that barrier up. And then we die. But just as everyone is sinful, everyone has been given God's grace through Jesus Christ! Everyone! We can either focus on how we're all sinful, or how through Jesus we all have God's forgiveness and salvation. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Hymn: Hymnal 602, Jesu Jesu

The Gospel – Matthew [4:1-11]

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew Glory to you, Lord Christ.

After Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit took him into the desert where he faced a lot of temptations. He stopped eating for a really long time to get a clearer picture of what God wanted him to do with his life. Afterwards, he was really, really hungry. The one who tempts us came to Jesus and said, “So, if you're really the Son of God, why don't you just turn these rocks into bread? What are you waiting for?"

Jesus answered him, “That's not what God's power is all about. Don't you know that the Bible says, ‘Bread isn't everything; God's Word is everything'”? Then the devil took him to the holy city and flew him up to the very tip of the temple. He said, “So, if you are the son of God, jump off, because the Bible said, 'God will make sure his angels take care of you. They'll lift you up so you won't even hurt one foot on a stone below.” Jesus said to him, “But the Bible also says, 'Don't test God.’” Then the devil tried a third time.

He took him to the peak of the high mountain where he could see the whole beautiful world and everyone in it. The devil said, “You can have all this, if you will just fall on your knees and worship me instead of God.”

Jesus told him to just go away. Because Jesus knew the Bible said, “You're only supposed to worship God and only follow him.”

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With that, the devil gave up and went away. And then Jesus was surrounded by messengers straight from God who came and took care of everything he needed. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon

The Rev. Barbara Ballenger

The Nicene Creed BCP 358

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

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We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Prayers of the People

Reader: Our response is: Help us to love with your love.

Dear Lord, hear our prayer. We pray for people everywhere: All: Help us to love with your love.

We pray for our community, country and world. All: Help us to love with your love.

We pray for all who gather as your Church. All: Help us to love with your love.

We pray for the earth and all your good gifts. All: Help us to love with your love.

We pray for all who are suffering from storms, floods, and fires. All: Help us to love with your love.

We pray for those who are sick or lonely, and need kindness and care. All: Help us to love with your love.

We pray for those who need your saving grace. All: Help us to love with your love.

We pray for the needs deep within our hearts. We pray for all who have died and all who miss them.

Dear Lord, hear our prayer.

All: And bless your people everywhere.

Confession of Sin

Presider: Let us confess our sins to God.

God of all mercy,

We confess that we have sinned against you, 8

EOW 1

Opposing your will in our lives. We have denied the goodness in each other, In ourselves and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, The evil we have done, And the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore and strengthen us Through our Savior Jesus Christ, That we may abide in your love And serve only your will. Amen.

Presider: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

The Peace

Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.

Celebrating Holy Communion

Offertory Anthem: WLP 812, Here I Am Lord (I the Lord of Sea and Sky)

Presentation Hymn: The Servant Song

Brother (Sister) let me be your servant. Let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey. We are brothers (sisters) on the road. We are here to help each other, walk the mile and share the load.

I will hold the Christ light for you in the night-time of your fear. I will hold my hand out to you. Speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping. When you laugh I’ll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow Till we’ve seen this journey through.

Brother (Sister) let me be your servant. Let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

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The Great Thanksgiving, New Zealand Prayer Book

Presider: The Lord is here.

People: God’s Spirit is with us.

Presider: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Presider: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to offer thanks and praise.

Presider: God, you made us, and the world and everything in it. All the good we see comes from you. You have always loved us but people have not always loved you. You sent Jesus to show us how to live and to bring us back to you again. He died for us on the cross so that through your Spirit, we can all be your people.

And so with thanks we praise you saying:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Presider: We are here because on the night before he died Jesus shared a meal with his friends. There he took some bread and gave thanks to you, God. He broke it into pieces, and gave it to them. “This is my body,” he said, “Do this, and know that I am with you.”

Later, he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to you. He shared it with them, and said “This is my blood, which brings new life. Do this, and know that I am with you.”

And so, remembering Jesus, who died, was raised to new life by you, and is alive forever, we are glad to share that life and live in him, and proclaim the mystery of our faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come in glory.

Presider: Send your Holy Spirit so that this bread and wine can be for us the body and blood of Jesus, and through this food give us strength to live as your people.

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Help us to care for your world and for each other in the way that Jesus showed us. Until he comes again, with all your people in every time and every land we worship you in songs of everlasting praise.

Blessing, honour and glory be yours, Here and everywhere, Now and forever. AMEN.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

The Lord’s Prayer BCP 364

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

The Presider breaks the consecrated bread. A period of silence is kept.

Presider: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People: Therefore, let us keep the feast.

Presider: The Gifts of God for the People of God.

The

Communion of the People

Communion Music:

Taste and See Bob Hurd

Peace is Flowing like a River Carey Landry

The Post-Communion Prayer

Presider and people together

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Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sending Out

The Blessing

Litany of Welcome

Priest Dear people of God, I invite your prayers for the saving presence of Jesus in this world, Assembly Christ is risen!

Priest In this Church, Assembly Christ is risen!

Priest In this community, Assembly Christ is risen!

Priest In the hearts of all faithful people, Assembly Christ is risen!

Priest We pray especially today in thanksgiving as we welcome Julie and River Lichty into the body of Christ in this place.

Priest Do you desire to join St. Peter’s Church?

NewMembers I (we) do.

Assembly We welcome you with open hearts.

Priest We welcome you and pledge to be a community for you. Assembly We offer you our gifts, our care and concern, our hope and our faith, our brokenness and frailty.

Priest We welcome you, trusting in Christ because we know our imperfections all too well.

Assembly We will rejoice together, mourn together, learn

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together, grow together, take risks together, make mistakes together and forgive one another.

Priest We welcome the gifts and needs that you bring, and rejoice that you make us stronger and more complete in Christ. Assembly Thanks be to God!

Priest We welcome you knowing that you will change who we are. Assembly Thanks be to God.

Priest May God bless our new life together, and lead us in new pathways, in the hallowed name of God, we pray. Assembly AMEN.

Birthday & Anniversary Prayer BCP 830

O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace; and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Additional Announcements:

 Rev. Barb and Rector's Warden Linda Toia will lead the Charting our Course: forum. Part I in-person conversations will begin today Sunday, February 26 at 11:30 a.m. Part 2 of the forum will be held on Sunday, March 5 at 11:30 a.m. If you cannot attend the in-person forums, there are alternative Zoom dates available. Part 1 via Zoom will be held on Thursday, March 2 at 7 p.m. and Part 2, on Tuesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. See newsletter for more information Zoom link.

 Wednesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. Night Prayer in the church

Join Rev. Barb for this spoken Night Prayer service using the New Zealand Prayer Book. This gentle service invites us to experience this traditional liturgy through the lens of the Anglican Church in New Zealand and Polynesia.

The Closing Hymn: WLP 740, Wade in the Water

The Dismissal

Presider: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

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Worship Ministers

Presider & Preacher: The Rev. Barbara Ballenger

Acolytes: Eamon Ivory, Alex Stevers-Radtke, Harrison Reazor

Lectors: Lana Fabijonas, Katie Monserrat, Grayson Torpey

Intercessor: Olive Linke Counter: Anne Gibson

Eucharistic Minister: Bob Hartung, Rosalinda Ibanez-Memba, Melissa Olson

Ushers: Bill Bacon, Peter Gottemoller, Dori Meginley, Maureen Schaeffer

Steward: Jim Callahan

Altar Guild: Wendy Hartung Fellowship: Tim & Tanya Voit

Organist: Kathy Flaherty Choir Director: Tim Flaherty

Tech Team: Mike Levin, PJ Linke, James Moore

Vestry

Meredith Flaherty: merflah@aol.com

Jeanné Hannum : jeannefhannum@aol.com

Nancy Ironside: ironsidebeall@gmail.com

Dave Kipphut (People’s Warden): kipp1152@verizon.net

Amy Michener-Wall: adwall@hotmail.com

Dave Mosteller: davemos2010@gmail.com

Amy Neske: amyh120@yahoo.com

Douglas Pneuma: douglas.pneuma@gmail.com

Karen Sayer: karmaflower@gmail.com

Linda Toia: (Rector’s Warden): linda.toia@verizon.net

Credits

AllAreWelcome

All Are Welcome. Text by: Marty Haugen

Tune: TWO OAKS, 9 6 8 6 8 7 10 with refrain; Marty Haugen, b. 1950

JesuJesu

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HereIAmLord(ItheLordofSeaandSky)

TheServantSong

TasteandSee

PeaceIsFlowingLikeaRiver

MassofCreationbyMartyHaugen

WadeIntheWater

Contributors: Jeffrey Honoré, Jeffrey Honoré

All Songs

Reprinted/ Podcast / Streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE, License # A719834.

The cover image is from Illustrated Ministries, used with permission.

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ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

654 N. Easton Road

Glenside, PA 19038-4310

(215) 887-1765

E-mail: stpeter654@gmail.com

Website: www.stpetersglenside.org

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